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Break out your binoculars and enjoy Franklin County’s wonderful outdoor world of birds. Here are some tips and locations to make the best of your birding experience. ranklin County offers outstanding birding opportunities year round. In the spring this is first land for the trans-gulf migrants and the different species of shore birds. Warblers and song birds are found in a dizzying array on our beaches and barrier islands. During the summer Franklin County is home to many nesting species as our diversity of habitat provides for species ranging from rails in the salt marsh to osprey and eagles in the highest trees. The fall brings the migration from the north as the cool weather pushes masses of birds to the south followed by a worldrenowned gathering of raptors preying on them. Franklin County is the winter home of many species including ducks, loons and other water birds that find our relatively warm waters to their liking. Plus the cooler weather has brought such exotic guests as the Buff-bellied Hummingbird and Tropical Kingbird.
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Whenever you're in Franklin County it's a good time to break out your binoculars and enjoy the wonderful outdoor world of birds. Here are the top ten spots to enjoy. 1. St. George Island State Park. Located on the east end of St. George Island. There are over 300 species listed on the St. George Island State Park birding list and there are interesting birds there at all times of the year. During the spring nesting shore birds include the American Oystercatcher and the endangered Snowy Plover. During spring, summer and fall Royal Terns, Caspian Terns, Least Terns and Forster's Terns can be observed diving in the surf. The hot times of September 1 - October 15, and April 1- May 10, are famous in birding communities for the neotropical migrants found especially in the migrant trap at the Youth Camp area of the park. Ornithologists from sevContinued on page 40
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